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How should i address an instructor?

One of my college classes is taught by an older graduate student. Would it be alright to address him as 'Professor?' I'm uncomfortable with calling him 'Mr. X' because it doesn't seem right, on the other hand isn't the title Professor reserved for those with PhD's?

Agree with Skyhook, it's fine to ask how the instructor wants to be addressed. Before I was a PhD, I instructed students to address me as Mrs. Sylvan, or by my first name. I didn't care for it when students with whom I had a LOT of interaction never addressed me as anything. That would become awkward after awhile.

^^Probably then the impetus is on the instructor who is older and wiser to make sure the first day of class that the less experienced students know how to address him/her! Not every 18 year old freshman has the social skill to ask a person in power how to address them.

Really the easiest here, is to just ask "What would you like me to call you?" Alternatively, call them "Mr. X" if they don't have a doctorate or "Dr. X" if they do, and then let them tell you if there is something else they would prefer.

Don't use professor, it isn't appropriate for a graduate student instructor.

Either use Mr. X, or first-name, or ask him what he prefers to be called. It's also pretty easy to avoid calling someone by any name at all, if you try. (Which is probably what you have been doing up until now...)

^^Probably then the impetus is on the instructor who is older and wiser to make sure the first day of class that the less experienced students know how to address him/her! Not every 18 year old freshman has the social skill to ask a person in power how to address them.

I've always done that, mhmm, but I've had a couple of students who apparently had some problem with the whole "address" thing, and just never used anything.

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